Who should take fish oil?
In short everyone. Fish oil is an essential fatty acid that is lacking in our diet. It improves overall health and reduces inflammation, the root cause of many health problems. For more information please click here.

Should I supplement for my children with omega-3 oil?
Yes! Omega-3 oil can also be used by pregnant women and nursing mothers. In utero and early childhood, clinical studies suggest that omega-3 oil improves motor coordination. Children under 3 may take ¼ teaspoon of oil. Children aged 3-12 may take 1 tablespoon and children weighing 80 lbs or more may take 2 teaspoons.

Are there any special benefits for women?
Yes. High dose omega-3 improves the quality of hair, nails and skin and helps prevent pre-term deliveries (babies born at full birth weight with excellent motor coordination).

Does research support skin improvements of any kind?
Yes. Due to decreased inflammation, various skin improvements can be expected. The first observed pharmacologic effect will be a strengthening of nails. Fish oil also decreases the incidence of skin cracking around the finger tips and increases overall skin tone.

In general, does fish oil affect LDL or HDL cholesterol?
Effects are on LDL and a smaller lipid fraction called chylomicrons. Clinical studies to address effects on HDL are ongoing. Further, it is reasonable to use high dose fish oil as an adjunct to standard “statins” like Zocor or Lipitor therapy. In this scenario, the goal is to reduce the statin therapy to absolutely the lowest dose possible, avoiding liver dysfunction due to long-term statin therapy and also the pain that high dose statins frequently cause (musculoskeletal morning pains.)

Is there any advantage to a product containing omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids?
While all omega fats are essential fats, we definitely should avoid omega-6. Our diets are far too enriched in omega-6. Omega-6 fats induce inflammation, the exact opposite effect of omega-3. The benefit of omega-9 fats has yet to be substantiated by detailed clinical science evaluation. Bottom line, avoid products containing omega-6 and 9.

What do I need to know before taking?

Do I need a prescription to take omega-3 oils?
You do not need a doctor’s prescription to use our OmegaMaine products; however, there is a similar prescription product which is a synthetic derivative of a natural omega-3 fatty acid processed from fish oil. With a prescription from your doctor you can buy this product at an average cost of $160/month. Its potency is similar to our all natural fish oil. However, this product is in gel cap form which we believe is less optimal for absorption. Our retail price for comparable potency in liquid form is currently $36.00/month supply.

What types of “blood thinners” should not be taken with omega-3 oils?
It is okay to take over-the-counter medications like a daily aspirin regimen; however, do not take with prescription medications like Coumadin without first consulting with your physician.

What is the difference between fish oil gel caps and liquid formulation? How much should I take on a daily basis?
Many fish oil products and advertisements recommend a daily dose of approximately 500 milligrams of omega-3 oil. This dose is far too low to offer much in health benefits. We recommend a daily dose of minimally 4000 milligrams of omega 3 oils. It is impractical to receive this dose in a gel capsule format. Depending on the product, you would need to take between 4 and 35 gel caps/day to derive any benefit. Furthermore, gel caps dissolve at different rates that are not optimal for omega-3 oil absorption and storage in our bodies. Therefore, all our OmegaMaine omega-3 oils are offered in liquid formulation.

Would the effectiveness improve measurably if the 2 teaspoons are taken apart from one another (i.e. one in the morning, one at night)?
Effectiveness will probably not improve if dosage is split. Think of fish oil as a food. As long as one ingests greater than 4.0 grams per 24 hours, the goals and benefits of the oil will be achieved.

Can I cook with fish oil?
Cooking with fish oil would be expensive and would not be effective as the fatty acids would rearrange their molecular structure at high temperatures.

My fish oil has become thicker, is it still okay to take?
When refrigerated, fish oil will thicken a little. At room temperature, it is more fluid. If you prefer the oil fluid, take it out of the fridge a few minutes before taking. Remember, always refrigerate the oil after opening.

Are there any side effects from taking too much fish oil?
Ingesting too much fish oil may make bowel movements oily.

What is in OmegaMaine oil?

What kind of fish are in the oil?
Small fish including herring, cod and anchovies. Larger fish, such as salmon, are not used because they contain high levels of mercury and heavy metals.

Where do you get the oil from?
A large Norway-based manufacturer supplies the omega-3 oil for our production.

Where do you get the flavors from? What is the best flavor?
Our flavors are all natural extracts from fruits (lemons, tangerine,) or leaves (mint) or beans (vanilla, chocolate). Our flavors are purchased from a large US supplier.

What are the mercury and heavy metal contents?
OmegaMaine omega-3 oil is essentially free of heavy metals and can be taken daily without limits. Our oils receive a certificate of analysis indicating that mercury, as well as aluminum, cadium, nickel, lead, and chromium content is below detectable levels (.01ppm) by using modern analytical instrumentation such as electrospray mass spectrometry. You would probably find more mercury in vegetables than in our fish oil. Why are the levels so low? If one harvests small fish that do not eat other fish, the levels are naturally low. Further, the longer a fish lives in the water, the exposure to heavy metal increases and accumulation increases. The warmer seas seem to allow the fish to accumulate more heavy metal because of a slightly higher dissolution rate. Thus, people in South Florida on the Mediterranean diet actually have more heavy metals in their bodies than average Americans who eat fish from colder oceans. Our omega-3 oil is harvested from the cold North Atlantic. In addition to heavy metal analysis, we test for the presence of 208 PCBs, various toxins, furans and halogenated hydrocarbons. All of these contaminates are well within established safe limits and average 1-10 parts per trillion.

What are EPA and DHA? What is a good balance for me?
EPA and DHA are omega 3 fatty acids. They are the good fats and block the actions of the bad fats or omega-6 fats. Omega 6 fats are chemicals that are acted on by enzymes in our bodies to make inflammatory mediators. It is important to know that not all omega 3 fatty acids are useful to our health. ALA, an omega 3 fat, found in flax seed oil is an omega 3 fatty acid, but there is no convincing clinical data in support of ALA improving our cardiovascular or inflammatory index. For ALA to work, it must first be converted to EPA. Our bodies convert ALA to EPA at a very low and erratic rate. EPA’s beneficial actions are considered to mainly involve peripheral (non brain actions). DHA is considered to be brain active. The best ratio is the natural ratio found in fish. This ratio is approximately 1; 1; EPA to DHA. Our oils are 1.08:1.0 EPA/DHA. What is important is the dose strength of this synergistic combination. Keep it all natural and take a high dose.

Are there any concerns with using aluminum alloy containers for your fish oil products?
Our containers are food grade aluminum alloys. The concern over aluminum toxicity is usually only important when alloy cans are used as cookware and heated to temperatures greater than 500 degrees F. In such a case, some aluminum atoms might boil off. Our containers prevent oxygen diffusion and prevent sunlight-induced degradation of our oil and are superior to other types of containers.